New habits are difficult to form. Things can start out well but it’s tough to keep it up. Thus, when I publicly committed myself to weekly prayer walking in the Next Door neighbourhood I knew that I was in for a battle. I am two weeks into my new commitment and things are going well, but come September my schedule will fill up and, come winter and shorter days, motivation will wane to make it for the 8:00 am start.

Why do I think that prayer walking is worth the time, effort and ensuing struggle? Primarily, it’s because I believe that it is a form of active resistance. Walking and praying may look passive, but the act of claiming a neighbourhood for Christ and His Kingdom, is an aggressive act. (I admit it feels funny to write something like that because, if you know me, you’ll know I am not overly aggressive!) As a church, we have staked a claim in the Aldershot community by establishing Next Door and we need to back that up with prayer, resisting against the hold of the enemy. Also, prayer walking is a form of intercession. I appreciate the idea that Richard Foster puts forward in his book Prayer; that intercessory prayer is priestly ministry and that the New Testament teaches we are all priests – with universal priesthood “we

[all] have the honour of going before the Most High on behalf of others”. So, in summary, as priests, we actively resist the enemy, interceding on behalf of the community.

I expect that for most of you, joining me at 8 am on a Friday for a prayer walk is not doable. (If it is, and you care to join me, wonderful! Let me know.) However, I encourage you to think of times that fit your schedule to prayer walk around Next Door, around your neighbourhood, around your workplace or school – wherever you might take up the sacred obligation and privilege of resistance and intercession.